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At a Glance…
Electra Airways is a European airline headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, specialising in ACMI and charter operations. Since its founding in 2016, Electra has grown to become a reputable charter flight provider and a trusted partner to global tour operators, airlines and brokers.
Since the end of 2022, the airline has also become a key part of the newly formed Vector Group holding. The group includes the Varna-based MRO ETG Maintenance, Irish leasing company Maverick Horizon, and brokerage company Classic Air, headquartered in Tel Aviv and Malta.
As part of its continued growth, Electra approached AeroProfessional in 2022 to support the executive search and selection of a new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The Situation…
In 2022, Electra set out to become one of the most successful and respected charter airlines in Southern Europe. As the airline expanded, it required the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to support operational growth. Securing this key leadership role required a focused executive search approach to identify the right aviation leader.
The ideal candidate was an ACMI specialist with an extensive OCC background, responsible for improving collaboration across departments to reduce operational disruptions, delays and potential passenger compensation costs. The search required a thorough and discreet process to ensure the smooth integration of the new COO into Electra’s operations.
AeroProfessional is a recruitment consultancy that provides executive-level resourcing solutions for aviation organisations in the UK and globally. It specialises in sourcing high-calibre senior leadership candidates capable of supporting airline growth and operational performance. Its discreet, results-driven approach has helped establish AeroProfessional as a trusted recruitment partner across the aviation sector.
Electra partnered with AeroProfessional in 2022 to conduct the executive search for its first Chief Operating Officer, a role that had not previously existed within the organisation.
The Solution…
AeroProfessional began the headhunting and screening process in line with the role requirements. Through targeted outreach and its aviation leadership network, the role attracted a number of candidates with the profile Electra was seeking.
Following the initial search phase, AeroProfessional interviewed and vetted 11 applicants from a pool of approximately 25 suitable COO candidates, ultimately shortlisting the top four. These candidates progressed to a structured three-stage interview process with the CEO of Electra’s major shareholder group.
All four candidates successfully completed the first two interview stages, demonstrating the strength of the shortlisted profiles. Two candidates progressed to the final stage, which assessed team compatibility and leadership adaptability within Electra’s organisation.
The Results...
The chosen candidate received an offer from Electra Airways in August 2022 and began the role approximately one month later. Since then, AeroProfessional and Electra have developed an ongoing recruitment partnership supporting both leadership hiring and operational staffing requirements, including the leasing of EASA flight crew to the airline.
AeroProfessional played a key role in negotiating and formalising the salary package, performance incentives and relocation terms, while supporting the transition of the selected candidate into the organisation.
Following the appointment of the new COO, Electra Airways has continued its strong growth trajectory. Since joining the airline, the business has doubled its fleet size and strengthened its position within the European ACMI airline market.
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I could tell right from the first meeting with Electra that they were a very goal-oriented airline, looking for a COO to make a real difference in their operations. I’m delighted that we delivered on that front. Working with them was a phenomenal experience and I look forward to our next collaboration.
Mike Lucas
Associate Director, Client Services
AeroProfessional Ltd
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C-level positions are very time consuming and difficult to fill due to the complexity of the role and required skillset, which is extremely specific. With AeroProfessional’s executive search and selection expertise, we successfully found a highly competent COO whose vision and goals were strongly aligned with our own.
Effi Grunwald
CEO
Vector Group
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